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13
OPERATION
ADJUSTING DEPTH OF CUT
Proper depth of cut depends on several factors: the peak
horsepower of the router motor, the type of cutter, and
the type of wood. A lightweight, low horsepower router is
designed for making shallow cuts. A router with a high
horsepower rating can safely cut deeper. Small cutters,
such as veining bits with 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) cutting
diameters, are designed to remove only small amounts of
wood. Large cutters, such as straight-flute bits, are made
to remove larger amounts of wood. You can make deeper
cuts in soft woods, such as white pine, than in
hardwoods, like oak or maple.
Based on these considerations, choose a depth of cut
that will not place excessive strain on the router motor. If
you find that extra force is needed or that the motor
speed slows down considerably, turn off the router and
reduce the depth of cut. Then, make the cut in two or
more passes.
When routing a groove that is too deep to safely cut in
one pass, it is best to make the cut in several passes. We
recommend that cuts be made at a depth not exceeding
1/8 in. (3.2 mm) and that several passes be made to
reach deeper cuts.
Adjusting the depth of cut for the plunge router is different
from adjusting the depth of cut for the fixed router.
TO ADJUST DEPTH OF CUT FOR FIXED BASE OR D-
BASE ROUTERS
See Figures 9 and 10.
Follow these steps to adjust depth of cut for fixed routers.
1. Unplug the router.
WARNING:
Failure to unplug the tool could result in accidental
starting causing serious injury.
2. Place the router on a flat surface.
3. Loosen the locking arm.
4. Turn the depth adjusting ring counterclockwise until
the tip of the cutter touches the flat surface.
5. Turn the depth indicator ring until the zero lines up with
the indicator point on the base.
6. Position the router so that the cutter can extend below
the subbase for desired depth of cut.
7. Turn the depth adjusting ring to obtain the desired
depth of cut.
8. Tighten the locking arm securely.
NOTE: To adjust the depth of cut when the router is
mounted to a router table, turn the depth adjustment ring
until the cutter reaches the desired depth of cut.
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
1
2
0
15/32
1/32
LOCKING
ARM
DEPTH
ADJUSTMENT
RING
DEPTH
INDICATOR
RING
INDICATOR POINT
INDICATOR
ARROW